Wheelchair Lift in a Lifeguard Station: Reasonable Enough?

Lifeguards are our primary lifesaver during unforeseen accidents at the beach. Their presence provides a deeper sense of security and safety whenever we go swimming. Without those lifeguards, most people will have doubts in swimming through various beaches. As in my previous article that was devoted to the Americans with Disabilities Act, this one is rather a strange result of the said act. This article is strange enough that an impressive previously signed law is in danger of being misinterpreted and makes it look like another waste of public funds.

According to St. Petersburg Times, government regulations have mandated all lifeguard headquarters to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act by making the building handicapped-friendly. In doing so, every building should be equipped with a wheelchair lift so all people using a wheelchair can easily maneuver the place. Sounds good and inspiring?

The only problem is that there is hardly any handicapped person who visits the headquarters. It is quite strange to hear that a two-storey building will be equipped with a wheelchair lift even though it is projected that no one will be using it. Consider the fact that the government will be spending a significant amount of money even though the need for that particular project is very minimal or non-existent at all.

Sadly, there are really politicians who keep on passing projects and regulations which are not really need or does not fit for any situation. It is estimated that a wheelchair lift would cost around $18,000 each. By multiplying the cost with the number of lifeguard headquarters located all around the country, it will generate a more detailed information on how this project will only waste a lot of the taxpayer’s money without even showing any usefulness by itself.

The intention may seem good but the real situation dictates that the project is not economically feasible enough. This is a perfect example of how good and helpful laws are distorted or interpreted beyond what the law actually indicates. Yes, the ADA is considered one major milestone in law creation but the way this regulation has been implemented will only put a stain to the ADA law. American has seen enough miss appropriation of government funds or implementation of projects which are both useless and expensive. What the American people need are helpful projects that are both reasonable socially and financially.